the 5th of the 5th efjanuary. year period from the 5th of january. but we are not doing nothing in the meantime, the exemption scheme is important and is already helping in many key sectors and the changes i talk about today to ensure prioritisation for essential workers and access to testing will help further so there is no sense in which we are not taking this issue seriously but we are simply trying to avoid compounding the problem as we try to solve that problem. secondly, on financial support, the financial support available for businesses in scotland now is significantly higher proportionally thanit significantly higher proportionally than it certainly is in england, i can't say much for wales and northern ireland, it demonstrates the seriousness with which we are taking this on money is flowing and will flow to businesses as quickly as possible. from announcing it through to making the money available to councils, through to i thinkjust days before christmas, a

leaders meeting to agree that these funds, to the checks being done right now to get the money out the door, it is being done at pace and money will start flowing to businesses in the days to come, and of course there will be more of it as we allocate the additional funds we have made available. 50. as we allocate the additional funds we have made available. so, nicola sturueon we have made available. so, nicola sturgeon still _ we have made available. so, nicola sturgeon still taking _ we have made available. so, nicola sturgeon still taking questions - sturgeon still taking questions there. this is a virtual session of holyrood, the scottish parliament, as you will gather, and this has been specially convened, in light of covid, and because we are running up to new year, to hogmanay, and the first minister again urging people to stay—at—home more than normal, and to limit the size of your indoor gatherings to know more than three households. a lot of talk about boosters as welcome as we have heard from the westminster government, please get your booster, please bring your appointment forward for your booster if you possibly can, and also making the point that the belief is about 80% of cases of

covid in scotland are now believed to be the omicron variant. no one should be complacent about getting covid, says the first minister. and all of that again throwing up what we have discussed a lot in the last few days, the difference in approach in the uk, depending where you live, depending which nation you live in, in terms of different restrictions, as we edge up to new year. we will talk more about that in the coming hours. i am sure. right now, the time is 2:32pm, much more coming up from 3pm. now on bbc news, review 2021, the year in sport. the world of sport roared to life in 2021, as major events took place, and spectators returned. our sport presenter adam wild takes a close look at the highs and lows of a memorable year.

there's never been a sporting year quite like 2021. it would, though, take a little time for the volume to be turned up. like everything else, it had to wait. as the year began, the backing track was the sound of silence. fans were still some way behind. covid's cancellations and chaos continued, the pandemic still providing all the background noise. the empty stadia, a stark, constant reminder that no amount of fake sounds or even fake crowds could drown out. that was over here. over there, well, this was how the world's best tennis players were preparing for one of the first major sporting events of the year, the australian open. strict hotel quarantine divided opinion. tennis was struggling to keep calm and carry on. novak djokovic became the men's champion, the first of three

grand slams for him this year. naomi osaka, the women's champion, herfirst and final grand slam of 2021. her withdrawal from the others to protect her mental health, the starting point for another of the year's major sporting narratives. in truth, many were still questioning whether sport should be going ahead at all. rugby union's six nations did — just about — and despite everything off the field, on it, it was one of the best we've ever seen. an empty twickenham, and defending champions, england, is where scotland began. intimidating, perhaps, but they came with a plan. commentator: try. strange and silent twickenham. save _ commentator: try. strange and silent twickenham. save only _ commentator: try. strange and silent twickenham. save only the _ commentator: try. strange and silent twickenham. save only the cheers - commentator: try. strange and silent twickenham. save only the cheers and i twickenham. save only the cheers and roars of the scotland players. wales began at home. no crowd, of course.

normally you pause for the roar. but that roar, normally you pause for the roar. that roar, the normally you pause for the roar. pm that roar, the patient was there, ireland saw red, were shown red and that human redwood do damage. and so to the snow and murrayfield. fix, to the snow and murrayfield. beacon of light in the west of edinburgh. beacon of light in the west of edinburgh-— beacon of light in the west of edinbur: h. _ ., . ., edinburgh. the rugby once more red. he is auoin edinburgh. the rugby once more red. he is going to — edinburgh. the rugby once more red. he is going to get _ edinburgh. the rugby once more red. he is going to get it, _ edinburgh. the rugby once more red. he is going to get it, what _ edinburgh. the rugby once more red. he is going to get it, what a - edinburgh. the rugby once more red. he is going to get it, what a try! - he is going to get it, what a try! what an important win for wales. two from two now. what an important win for wales. two from two nova— what an important win for wales. two from two now-— from two now. back home, the neighbours _ from two now. back home, the neighbours were _ from two now. back home, the neighbours were waiting. - from two now. back home, the neighbours were waiting. will i neighbours were waiting. will encland neighbours were waiting. will england catch _ neighbours were waiting. ll england catch fire? when will they catch fire? the england catch fire? when will they catch fire? . , england catch fire? when will they catch fire? ., , ., catch fire? the answer, not in cardiff. catch fire? the answer, not in cardiff- the — catch fire? the answer, not in cardiff. the question - catch fire? the answer, not in cardiff. the question is, - catch fire? the answer, not in i cardiff. the question is, though, didn't end there. he cardiff. the question is, though, didn't end there.— didn't end there. he can't quite cather didn't end there. he can't quite gather it- _ didn't end there. he can't quite gather it. the _ didn't end there. he can't quite gather it. the liam _ didn't end there. he can't quite gather it. the liam williams, i didn't end there. he can't quite gather it. the liam williams, it didn't end there. he can't quite - gather it. the liam williams, it has gone forward. how is it?— gone forward. how is it? whistle wow. to paris, _ gone forward. how is it? whistle wow. to paris, then, _ gone forward. how is it? whistle wow. to paris, then, for - gone forward. how is it? whistle wow. to paris, then, for an - wow. to paris, then, for an extraordinary _ wow. to paris, then, for an

extraordinary finish, - wow. to paris, then, for an extraordinary finish, to - wow. to paris, then, for an extraordinary finish, to the | wow. to paris, then, for an - extraordinary finish, to the match, and ultimately, the championship. france must score, surely? for the bonus point try! that will win france the game.— bonus point try! that will win france the game. bonus point try! that will win france the name. ~ . , , . . ., france the game. wales beat and that the death but — france the game. wales beat and that the death but could _ france the game. wales beat and that the death but could scotland - france the game. wales beat and that the death but could scotland now- the death but could scotland now help them out? they could scarcely have left it later. titan help them out? they could scarcely have left it later.— have left it later. van der merwe where steps _ have left it later. van der merwe where steps and _ have left it later. van der merwe where steps and banned - have left it later. van der merwe where steps and banned der- have left it later. van der merwe i where steps and banned der merwe scores! what an end to this match, to this championship!— to this championship! incredibly, that meant _ to this championship! incredibly, that meant wales _ to this championship! incredibly, that meant wales were - to this championship! incredibly, i that meant wales were champions. drama that deserved an audience. the women's six nations, well, that felt the impact even more. restructured, reorganised, the culmination an england, france final. wonderful stuff from england. they cannot stop winning. they are champions again in 2021.

england couldn't stop winning, and neither it seemed could rachael blackmore. riding winners but never getting carried away. in april, she became the first femalejockey to win the grand national. the gender thing was never an issue. i just carried that forward. it was just such a special race. i'm absolutely honoured to be able to put my name beside it. at the crucible, the role was finally back. the snooker championships became the first major british event to welcome back fans. raising the roof, champion mark selby. fans returning in football, and revolting — proposals for european super league sparked outrage. fan power won, for now. manchester city are the premier league champions.

its finest team. one of those involved was manchester city. having won the league cup, they added the premiership title, celebrations but they dreamt of more, as the chelsea women but not before they had to wait for the very last day of the season to clinch the big domestic prize. chelsea are the champions of england! still very little could match the scenes ofjubilation in glasgow. in one side of it, at least. for every rangers fan, all players all over— for every rangers fan, all players all over the — for every rangers fan, all players all over the world, _ for every rangers fan, all players all over the world, it's _ for every rangers fan, all players all over the world, it's a - for every rangers fan, all players all over the world, it's a big - all over the world, it's a big moment _ all over the world, it's a big moment-— all over the world, it's a big moment. ~ ., ~ ., , ., moment. we worked our way up from the bottom and _ moment. we worked our way up from the bottom and now _ moment. we worked our way up from the bottom and now we _ moment. we worked our way up from the bottom and now we are _ moment. we worked our way up from the bottom and now we are right - moment. we worked our way up from the bottom and now we are right at i the bottom and now we are right at the bottom and now we are right at the top. for the bottom and now we are right at the to -. ., the bottom and now we are right at theto. ., . ., , the top. for the champions, it has been one fantastic— the top. for the champions, it has been one fantastic journey. - the top. for the champions, it has i been one fantastic journey. rangers been one fantastic “ourney. rangers champions. _ been one fantastic “ourney. rangers champions. but — been one fantastic journey. rangers champions, but the _ been one fantastic journey. rangers champions, but the caps, _ been one fantastic journey. rangers champions, but the caps, both - been one fantastic journey. rangers champions, but the caps, both of. champions, but the caps, both of them, belong to stjohnstone. in scotland, still no fans were there to see the historic double, and that is what partly made the fa cup final so extraordinary. 21,000 inside wembley to witness one

of the great cup final goals. what a shot! youri tielemans! fa cup winners for the very first time. le i ceste r�*s leicester's win, one of the year's most poignant sporting moments. chelsea women's champions league final was played behind closed doors. fans back home may will have watched through their fingers, beaten 4—0 by barcelona. for some, it was time to get reacquainted. manchester united were in gdansk for a europa league final. beaten dramatically on penalties by villarreal. porto was the rather hastily rearranged venue for the champions league final. a continental full english, champions league final. a continentalfull english, chelsea against manchester city. kai havertz�*s gold enough to see chelsea return to the kings road as the kings of europe. well, in club football in it at least, 2021 was a

year of international football, and europe was finally opening up. the euros began with a nod to the past but a turn to the future. naesen dorma, none socially, —— none shall sleep, fitting. aha, dorma, none socially, -- none shall sleep. fitting-— sleep, fitting. a year late, the “ourne sleep, fitting. a year late, the journey begins. _ sleep, fitting. a year late, the journey begins. he _ sleep, fitting. a year late, the journey begins. he lit - sleep, fitting. a year late, the journey begins. he lit up - sleep, fitting. a year late, the | journey begins. he lit up rome toniaht. journey begins. he lit up rome tonight- we — journey begins. he lit up rome tonight. we are _ journey begins. he lit up rome tonight. we are looking - journey begins. he lit up rome | tonight. we are looking forward journey begins. he lit up rome i tonight. we are looking forward to journey begins. he lit up rome - tonight. we are looking forward to a competition — tonight. we are looking forward to a competition and _ tonight. we are looking forward to a competition and suddenly _ tonight. we are looking forward to a| competition and suddenly something much more _ competition and suddenly something much more important _ competition and suddenly something much more important is _ competition and suddenly something much more important is at _ competition and suddenly something much more important is at stake - much more important is at stake right— much more important is at stake right now — much more important is at stake riaht now. .. much more important is at stake riaht now. ., ., ., much more important is at stake l right now-_ got right now. come on, england! got ast one, right now. come on, england! got past one. then — right now. come on, england! got past one, then two, _ right now. come on, england! got past one, then two, then - right now. come on, england! got past one, then two, then plays i right now. come on, england! got past one, then two, then plays itl past one, then two, then plays it into sterling! scotland are back, and eager— into sterling! scotland are back, and eager to make up for lost time. the czech _ and eager to make up for lost time. the czech republic on the break! anguish — the czech republic on the break! anguish. its the czech republic on the break! annuish. �* .. , the czech republic on the break! annuish. �* ., , , ., ., anguish. a really big night ahead. the touch is _

anguish. a really big night ahead. the touch is back _ anguish. a really big night ahead. the touch is back for _ anguish. a really big night ahead. the touch is back for the - anguish. a really big night ahead. the touch is back for the second l the touch is back for the second goat _ the touch is back for the second goat they've _ the touch is back for the second goal. they've done _ the touch is back for the second goal. they've done a _ the touch is back for the second goal. they've done a nation- the touch is back for the second i goal. they've done a nation proud. go on. _ goal. they've done a nation proud. go on. wales! _ goal. they've done a nation proud. go on. wales!— go on, wales! goodness me, it's loud. go on, wales! goodness me, it's loud- only _ go on, wales! goodness me, it's loud- only a _ go on, wales! goodness me, it's loud. only a win _ go on, wales! goodness me, it's loud. only a win will _ go on, wales! goodness me, it's loud. only a win will do. - go on, wales! goodness me, it's loud. only a win will do. modricl loud. only a win will do. modric -la s it loud. only a win will do. modric plays it in! _ loud. only a win will do. modric plays it in! two _ loud. only a win will do. modric plays it in! two players - loud. only a win will do. modric plays it in! two players now - plays it in! two players now isolating. — plays it in! two players now isolating, his _ plays it in! two players now isolating, his team - plays it in! two players now isolating, his team much i plays it in! two players now - isolating, his team much criticised. he's put— isolating, his team much criticised. he's put it — isolating, his team much criticised. he's put it in— isolating, his team much criticised. he's put it in the back of the net, raheem — he's put it in the back of the net, raheem sterling! _ he's put it in the back of the net, raheem sterling! the _ he's put it in the back of the net, raheem sterling! the start- he's put it in the back of the net, raheem sterling! the start of. he's put it in the back of the net, | raheem sterling! the start of the knockout — raheem sterling! the start of the knockout stage _ raheem sterling! the start of the knockout stage of— raheem sterling! the start of the knockout stage of the _ raheem sterling! the start of the knockout stage of the european l knockout stage of the european championship _ knockout stage of the european championship-— knockout stage of the european championship. lovely touch, flag sta s championship. lovely touch, flag stays down. _ championship. lovely touch, flag stays down, it's _ championship. lovely touch, flag stays down, it's 4-0. _ championship. lovely touch, flag stays down, it's 4-0. for- championship. lovely touch, flag stays down, it's 4-0. for this - stays down, it's 4-0. for this tournament, _ stays down, it's 4-0. for this tournament, this _ stays down, it's 4-0. for this tournament, this time, - stays down, it's 4-0. for this tournament, this time, that's stays down, it's 4-0. for this - tournament, this time, that's that. this is an amazing story being told in budapest! it is this is an amazing story being told in itudapest!_ in budapest! it is the first shot knockout at — in budapest! it is the first shot knockout at euro _ in budapest! it is the first shot knockout at euro 2020. - in budapest! it is the first shot knockout at euro 2020. and i in budapest! it is the first shot. knockout at euro 2020. and the in budapest! it is the first shot - knockout at euro 2020. and the reign of portu . al knockout at euro 2020. and the reign of portugal as — knockout at euro 2020. and the reign of portugal as european _ knockout at euro 2020. and the reign of portugal as european champions i knockout at euro 2020. and the reign of portugal as european champions isj of portugal as european champions is over. .. . of portugal as european champions is over. ., , . ~ of portugal as european champions is over. .,, . ~ ., over. has defined the back of the net. the world _ over. has defined the back of the net. the world champions, - over. has defined the back of the i

net. the world champions, france, are home! — net. the world champions, france, are home! it�*s net. the world champions, france, are home! 3 ., net. the world champions, france, are home!— are home! it's not the final, it “ust are home! it's not the final, it just feels _ are home! it's not the final, it just feels that _ are home! it's not the final, it just feels that way. _ are home! it's not the final, it just feels that way. in - are home! it's not the final, it just feels that way. in comesl are home! it's not the final, it i just feels that way. in comes the captain! — just feels that way. in comes the captain! it's_ just feels that way. in comes the captain! it's finally _ just feels that way. in comes the captain! it's finally happened! i just feels that way. in comes the i captain! it's finally happened! this is one _ captain! it's finally happened! this is one of— captain! it's finally happened! this is one of those _ captain! it's finally happened! this is one of those landmark- captain! it's finally happened! this is one of those landmark football. is one of those landmark football moments — is one of those landmark football moments that _ is one of those landmark football moments that don't _ is one of those landmark football moments that don't come - is one of those landmark football| moments that don't come around is one of those landmark football- moments that don't come around too ofteh _ moments that don't come around too ofteh 0nwards— moments that don't come around too often. onwards to _ moments that don't come around too often. onwards to rome, _ moments that don't come around too often. onwards to rome, where - moments that don't come around too i often. onwards to rome, where things could get— often. onwards to rome, where things could get better — often. onwards to rome, where things could get better and _ often. onwards to rome, where things could get better and better— often. onwards to rome, where things could get better and better and - could get better and better and better~ — could get better and better and better~ kane! _ could get better and better and better. kane! ukraine - could get better and better and better. kane! ukraine blown i could get better and better and . better. kane! ukraine blown away! england _ better. kane! ukraine blown away! england on — better. kane! ukraine blown away! england on their— better. kane! ukraine blown away! england on their way! _ better. kane! ukraine blown away! england on their way!— england on their way! england and denmark! and _ england on their way! england and denmark! and the _ england on their way! england and denmark! and the chance - england on their way! england and denmark! and the chance to - england on their way! england and i denmark! and the chance to replace the hosts denmark! and the chance to replace the ghosts of— denmark! and the chance to replace the ghosts of history. _ denmark! and the chance to replace the ghosts of history. it _ denmark! and the chance to replace the ghosts of history. it was - the ghosts of history. it was dipping. _ the ghosts of history. it was dipping, it was delightful! this time _ dipping, it was delightful! this time sterling! schmeichel saves, and kane is there to follow_ schmeichel saves, and kane is there

to follow in! — schmeichel saves, and kane is there to follow in! wembley is alive and thundering with noise! in to the final— thundering with noise! in to the final of— thundering with noise! in to the final of a — thundering with noise! in to the final of a major tournament for the first time _ final of a major tournament for the first time in— final of a major tournament for the first time in 55 years!— first time in 55 years! england versus italy — first time in 55 years! england versus italy in _ first time in 55 years! england versus italy in the _ first time in 55 years! england versus italy in the final- first time in 55 years! england versus italy in the final of- first time in 55 years! england versus italy in the final of the | versus italy in the final of the european _ versus italy in the final of the european championship. - versus italy in the final of the - european championship. excitement and emotion— european championship. excitement and emotion around _ european championship. excitement and emotion around wembley - european championship. excitement and emotion around wembley that l and emotion around wembley that hasn't _ and emotion around wembley that hasn't been — and emotion around wembley that hasn't been felt _ and emotion around wembley that hasn't been felt since _ and emotion around wembley that hasn't been felt since you - and emotion around wembley that hasn't been felt since you know i hasn't been felt since you know wheh — hasn't been felt since you know when. trippier_ hasn't been felt since you know when. trippier will— hasn't been felt since you know when. trippier will cross - hasn't been felt since you know when. trippier will cross and i hasn't been felt since you knowi when. trippier will cross and it's luke _ when. trippier will cross and it's luke shaw! _ when. trippier will cross and it's luke shaw! it's— when. trippier will cross and it's luke shaw! it's the _ when. trippier will cross and it's luke shaw! it's the start - when. trippier will cross and it's luke shaw! it's the start of- when. trippier will cross and it's - luke shaw! it's the start of dreams! elicked _ luke shaw! it's the start of dreams! elicked across. _ luke shaw! it's the start of dreams! flicked across, this _ luke shaw! it's the start of dreams! flicked across, this is— luke shaw! it's the start of dreams! flicked across, this is a _ luke shaw! it's the start of dreams! flicked across, this is a problem, i flicked across, this is a problem, and it— flicked across, this is a problem, and it is— flicked across, this is a problem, and it is in! — flicked across, this is a problem, and it is in! england, _ flicked across, this is a problem, and it is in! england, once - flicked across, this is a problem, and it is in! england, once again, j and it is in! england, once again, are involved _ and it is in! england, once again, are involved in— and it is in! england, once again, are involved in a _ and it is in! england, once again, are involved in a penalty- and it is in! england, once again, i are involved in a penalty shoot—out. a nation— are involved in a penalty shoot—out. a nation holds— are involved in a penalty shoot—out. a nation holds its— are involved in a penalty shoot—out. a nation holds its breath. _ are involved in a penalty shoot—out. a nation holds its breath. and - a nation holds its breath. and rashford _ a nation holds its breath. and rashford has _ a nation holds its breath. and rashford has missed. - a nation holds its breath. and rashford has missed. saved i a nation holds its breath. andl rashford has missed. saved by donnarumma! _ rashford has missed. saved by donnarumma! sakho_ rashford has missed. saved by donnarumma! sakho has- rashford has missed. saved by donnarumma! sakho has to - rashford has missed. saved by. donnarumma! sakho has to score! italy donnarumma! sakho has to score! italv are _ donnarumma! sakho has to score! italv are the — donnarumma! sakho has to score! italy are the champions _ donnarumma! sakho has to score! italy are the champions of - donnarumma! sakho has to score!

italy are the champions of europe! huge disappointment for england. the aftermath of the final, equally so. the racist abuse of some english players prompted more national soul—searching. the players prompted more national soul-searching.— players prompted more national soul-searching. the boys that have done so well _ soul-searching. the boys that have done so well for _ soul-searching. the boys that have done so well for us, _ soul-searching. the boys that have done so well for us, which - soul-searching. the boys that have done so well for us, which i - soul-searching. the boys that have done so well for us, which i think. done so well for us, which i think has brought so many parts of our country together, for some of them to be abused is unforgivable really. the final too saw the dark side of returning fans, images of crowd trouble at wembley before the game were beamed around the world, a damning report would call it "a day of national shame".— damning report would call it "a day of national shame". what happened was a very near— of national shame". what happened was a very near miss, _ of national shame". what happened was a very near miss, and - of national shame". what happened was a very near miss, and that - of national shame". what happened was a very near miss, and that nearj was a very near miss, and that near miss— was a very near miss, and that near miss would — was a very near miss, and that near miss would be a significant loss of life or— miss would be a significant loss of life or injuries, probably on a scale — life or injuries, probably on a scale that— life or injuries, probably on a scale that sadly we saw at hillsborough.— scale that sadly we saw at hillsborou~h. n ., hillsborough. across the capital, thin . s hillsborough. across the capital, things were _ hillsborough. across the capital, things were far _ hillsborough. across the capital, things were far more _ hillsborough. across the capital, things were far more serene. - hillsborough. across the capital, l things were far more serene. new stars were emerging, whilst others were shining once more. the

championships _ were shining once more. the championships are _ were shining once more. tue: championships are back. were shining once more. tte: championships are back. the were shining once more. tt2 championships are back. the all england club looks picture perfect and ready to welcome back the fans. andy murray once again back where he belongs _ andy murray once again back where he belongs. 0h, andy murray once again back where he belongs. oh, it's brilliant! he's done _ belongs. oh, it's brilliant! he's done it— belongs. oh, it's brilliant! he's done it again, and there is the smile. — done it again, and there is the smile. and _ done it again, and there is the smile, and all that anguish slips awav! _ smile, and all that anguish slips away! i— smile, and all that anguish slips awa ! , .q smile, and all that anguish slips awa ! , . ., ., away! i feel very lucky i get to do it aaain away! i feel very lucky i get to do it again and _ away! i feel very lucky i get to do it again and i'm _ away! i feel very lucky i get to do it again and i'm going _ away! i feel very lucky i get to do it again and i'm going to - away! i feel very lucky i get to do it again and i'm going to keep i it again and i'm going to keep playing — it again and i'm going to keep playing i_ it again and i'm going to keep playing. ! want _ it again and i'm going to keep playing. i want to _ it again and i'm going to keep playing. i want to play. - it again and i'm going to keep playing. i want to play. we have just heard one of the sporting roars of the year. wimbledon has a new star. 18—year—old emma raducanu! wimbledon has a new star. 18-year-old emma raducanu! ashleigh ba ! a 18-year-old emma raducanu! ashleigh barty! a destiny _ 18-year-old emma raducanu! ashleigh barty! a destiny fulfilled. _ 18-year-old emma raducanu! ashleigh barty! a destiny fulfilled. and - 18-year-old emma raducanu! ashleigh barty! a destiny fulfilled. and the - barty! a destiny fulfilled. and the celebrations _ barty! a destiny fulfilled. and the celebrations can _ barty! a destiny fulfilled. and the celebrations can begin. _ barty! a destiny fulfilled. and the celebrations can begin. riley - barty! a destiny fulfilled. and the celebrations can begin. riley and | celebrations can begin. riley and kenn g celebrations can begin. riley and kenny g are _ celebrations can begin. riley and kenny g are the _ celebrations can begin. riley and kenny g are the champions. - a sixth wimbledon title. there was a

new name on — a sixth wimbledon title. there was a new name on the _ a sixth wimbledon title. there was a new name on the list _ a sixth wimbledon title. there was a new name on the list of— a sixth wimbledon title. there was a new name on the list of golf's - a sixth wimbledon title. there was a new name on the list of golf's open i new name on the list of golf's open champions. what an incredible day at the open for collin morikawa. the american winning the claretjug at the first attempt. anna nordqvist triumphed in the women's british open. not for either of them the final victory of their year. cycling's biggest moment, the tour de france was won by tadic production, but british focus was once more on mark cavendish, as he equalled the record of 3a stage wins. harlequins were crowned men's premiership rugby union champions, in one of the greatest finishes before a much disrupted tour ended with the british and irish lions narrowly beaten in south africa. there were some fans back at wembley for the challenge cup final, saint helen seeing off castleford. they won the women's cup too in a stellar

year. but the summer of 2021 will be remembered for the biggest sporting event of all, a delayed olympics that almost didn't happen again. a global game is amidst a global crisis, athletes bringing home both medals and memories. good luck, dad. alex whitlock is still the elliptic _

good luck, dad. alex whitlock is still the elliptic champion! - good luck, dad. alex whitlock is still the elliptic champion! red i still the elliptic champion! red willow. — still the elliptic champion! red willow. i— still the elliptic champion! red willow, i love you.— willow, i love you. cheering oh, this willow, i love you. cheering oh. this is— willow, i love you. cheering oh, this is brilliant! - willow, | love you. cheeringl oh, this is brilliant! cheering sky brown will take bronze! tom dean and duncan stopped _ sky brown will take bronze! tom dean and duncan stopped looking _ sky brown will take bronze! tom dean and duncan stopped looking really - and duncan stopped looking really good at the moment. tom dean is olympic champion. can you believe that? -- olympic champion. can you believe that? —— duncan scott. i love you guys. bronze for declan west. and ben

maher has _ bronze for declan west. and ben maher has gold _ bronze for declan west. and ben maher has gold for _ bronze for declan west. and ben maher has gold for great - bronze for declan west. and ben maher has gold for great britain! j we love you. a silver and a silverand a a silver and a gold in bmx racing! 0h, a silver and a gold in bmx racing! oh. my— a silver and a gold in bmx racing! oh. my god! _ triathlon will be golden for great britain _ triathlon will be golden for great britain in — triathlon will be golden for great britain in tokyo!— triathlon will be golden for great britain in to 0! ,, ., ., . ., ., britain in tokyo! shauna worthington has absolutely _ britain in tokyo! shauna worthington has absolutely smashed _ britain in tokyo! shauna worthington has absolutely smashed her- britain in tokyo! shauna worthington has absolutely smashed her second i has absolutely smashed her second run out _ has absolutely smashed her second run out of— has absolutely smashed her second run out of the — has absolutely smashed her second run out of the park! _ has absolutely smashed her second run out of the park! ti— has absolutely smashed her second run out of the park!— run out of the park! a glittering fifth olympic — run out of the park! a glittering fifth olympic gold _ run out of the park! a glittering

fifth olympic gold medal - run out of the park! a glittering fifth olympic gold medal for i run out of the park! a glittering i fifth olympic gold medal for laura kenny. itote fifth olympic gold medal for laura kenn . ~ .. fifth olympic gold medal for laura kenn . ~ ., , , . fifth olympic gold medal for laura kenn. ., , kenny. we are olympic champions and that's a dream — kenny. we are olympic champions and that's a dream come _ kenny. we are olympic champions and that's a dream come true. _ kenny. we are olympic champions and that's a dream come true. the - that's a dream come true. the ol mic that's a dream come true. the olympic champion! _ that's a dream come true. the olympic champion! i _ that's a dream come true. the olympic champion! i am - that's a dream come true. the olympic champion! i am so i that's a dream come true. the - olympic champion! i am so proud. jason kelly — olympic champion! i am so proud. jason kelly in _ olympic champion! i am so proud. jason kelly in british _ olympic champion! i am so proud. jason kelly in british olympic - jason kelly in british olympic history — jason kelly in british olympic histo . �* .. jason kelly in british olympic histo . �* ., ., , jason kelly in british olympic histo .�* ., ., , jason kelly in british olympic histo. i“ history. adam peaty, double olympic chamion! cheering a captivated audience back home barely had time to draw breath. no sooner had the olympians returned with their medals, the paralympians were off to tokyo, set on winning

more. t were off to tokyo, set on winning more. ., , were off to tokyo, set on winning more. . , were off to tokyo, set on winning more. .,, . , ., ., more. i saw he was crying and i have to admit i more. i saw he was crying and i have to admit i was _ more. i saw he was crying and i have to admit i was too _ more. i saw he was crying and i have to admit i was too but _ more. i saw he was crying and i have to admit i was too but you _ more. i saw he was crying and i have to admit i was too but you never - to admit i was too but you never really expect to all come together like that. t really expect to all come together like that. .. , really expect to all come together like that. ., , ., like that. i literally gave everything _ like that. i literally gave everything i _ like that. i literally gave everything i had. - like that. i literally gave everything i had. we i like that. i literally gave i everything i had. we won like that. i literally gave - everything i had. we won by one tenth— everything i had. we won by one tenth of— everything i had. we won by one tenth of a — everything i had. we won by one tenth of a second or something. it was ridiculous. i tenth of a second or something. it was ridiculous.— was ridiculous. i started off as this anxious _ was ridiculous. i started off as this anxious girl, _ was ridiculous. i started off as this anxious girl, and - was ridiculous. i started off as this anxious girl, and now- was ridiculous. i started off as this anxious girl, and now i i was ridiculous. i started off as| this anxious girl, and now i am was ridiculous. i started off as - this anxious girl, and now i am so much _ this anxious girl, and now i am so much more — this anxious girl, and now i am so much more-— this anxious girl, and now i am so much more. i've worked for this for such a long — much more. i've worked for this for such a long time _ much more. i've worked for this for such a long time but _ much more. i've worked for this for such a long time but i've _ much more. i've worked for this for such a long time but i've worked i much more. i've worked for this for| such a long time but i've worked for each race independently, so now i've finished all three, i'm like, we finished, you know, i'm going home. as britain was gaining champions, it

was also losing one, for now. in september, anthonyjoshua lost all four of his heavyweight titles, beaten by alexander lisek. england's netball bowlers, well, they were making history, winning their series against new zealand. whilst over in the united states, there was a genuinely astonishing story unfolding. # one night in new york is like a lifetime anywhere... # one night in new york is like a lifetime anywhere. . ._ # one night in new york is like a lifetime anywhere... having caught the e e at lifetime anywhere... having caught the eye at wimbledon, _ lifetime anywhere... having caughtj the eye at wimbledon, 18-year-old the eye at wimbledon, 18—year—old emma raducanu was now making her mark at the us open. # , ., , mark at the us open. # of this town is champagne, so shake the bottle, _ # of this town is champagne, so shake the bottle, pop _ # of this town is champagne, so shake the bottle, pop the - # of this town is champagne, so shake the bottle, pop the cork. i shake the bottle, pop the cork. going through qualifying, she won herfirst nine matches going through qualifying, she won her first nine matches without dropping a set, incredibly, all the way to the final, and history. before the match, i was nervous. i felt like something wasn't quite right. something felt a little bit

off. i think that's just usual nerves because of the occasion, but then once i got onto the court, i just was having a lot of fun out there, and i think that's what helped, because i wasn't distracted, i was just focusing on what i had to do, and i executed. this i wasjust focusing on what i had to do, and i executed.— do, and i executed. this fairytale of new york _ do, and i executed. this fairytale of new york caught _ do, and i executed. this fairytale of new york caught the _ do, and i executed. this fairytale of new york caught the world's i of new york caught the world's imagination. emma raducanu, a teenage grand slam winner now with the world at her feet. # one night in new york! the united states too was the venue for golf's most eagerly anticipated events, firstly the solheim cup, the inverness cup —— inverness club in ohio, a little corner of europe, and so it would remain. hitting all the right notes on the opening day, team europe. cheering

not least fiona maguire, the first irish woman to play in the competition. she was brilliant. team usa though would come out fighting. he t usa though would come out fighting. h ; ., , ., usa though would come out fighting. he i mean, you “ust don't know what can happen — he i mean, you just don't know what can happen next- — he i mean, you just don't know what can happen next. europe _ he i mean, you just don't know what can happen next. europe will- he i mean, you just don't know what can happen next. europe willjust- can happen next. europe will “ust kee- hold can happen next. europe will “ust keep new effi can happen next. europe will “ust keep hold of that in i can happen next. europe will “ust keep hold of that in the i can happen next. europe will “ust keep hold of that in the final i can happen next. europe willjust| keep hold of that in the final day, victory in sight and from there they wouldn't let go. matilda catrin retained the title.— retained the title. brilliant, absolutely _ retained the title. brilliant, absolutely brilliant! - retained the title. brilliant, absolutely brilliant! before | retained the title. brilliant, - absolutely brilliant! before emily pedersen went _ absolutely brilliant! before emily pedersen went and _ absolutely brilliant! before emily pedersen went and won - absolutely brilliant! before emily pedersen went and won it - absolutely brilliant! before emilyi pedersen went and won it outright for europe. up in wisconsin, well, for europe. up in wisconsin, well, for europe. up in wisconsin, well, for europe there was markedly less to celebrate at the ryder cup. thea;r to celebrate at the ryder cup. they have come off _ to celebrate at the ryder cup. they have come off second _ to celebrate at the ryder cup. tt2 have come off second best, distinctly second best. team usa were going to great lengths to make this look every bit the record—breaking victory. this look every bit the record-breaking victory. that's

ridiculous! _ record-breaking victory. that's ridiculous! oh, _ record-breaking victory. that's ridiculous! oh, it's _ record-breaking victory. that's i ridiculous! oh, it's unbelievable. it sucks. ridiculous! oh, it's unbelievable. it sucks- it _ ridiculous! oh, it's unbelievable. it sucks. it sucks _ ridiculous! oh, it's unbelievable. it sucks. it sucks losing, - ridiculous! oh, it's unbelievable. it sucks. it sucks losing, it - ridiculous! oh, it's unbelievable. it sucks. it sucks losing, it sucksj it sucks. it sucks losing, it sucks not being able to be competitive. the fiba bile atmosphere could have been predicted. the sheer dominance of team usa perhaps should have been. —— the febrile atmosphere. cheering in october, the london marathon was back, biggerthan in october, the london marathon was back, bigger than ever, the return of mass participation events another mile marker in this longest of races back to normality. nothing normal about what was taking place in las vegas the following week. the third instalment of tyson fury�*s feud with deontay wilder, a fight an occasion that lived up to the hype, settled decisively in the 11th round. furey, champion of the world, still. back on england's green and pleasant land, there was so nearly a french champion in rugby league. catalans dragons the first overseas side to

make it to super league end of season grand final, falling at the final hurdle to the all conquering saint helens, champions again. there should have been a world cup to follow, but that now we'll have to wait another year. 2021 undoubtedly belonged to saint helens, winning the women's title as well. chelsea finished their wonderful year by completing football's treble, the much delayed women's fa cup final, in front of 40,000 at wembley. iloathed in front of 40,000 at wembley. what a coal to in front of 40,000 at wembley. what a goal to see — in front of 40,000 at wembley. what a goal to see all _ in front of 40,000 at wembley. what a goal to see all of _ in front of 40,000 at wembley. what a goal to see all of the _ in front of 40,000 at wembley. what a goal to see all of the fa _ in front of 40,000 at wembley. “await a goal to see all of the fa cup victory! a goal to see all of the fa cup victo ! . a goal to see all of the fa cup victo ! , , ., ., victory! the first silverware of the new season _ victory! the first silverware of the new season in _ victory! the first silverware of the new season in scotland, - victory! the first silverware of the new season in scotland, the - victory! the first silverware of the i new season in scotland, the league cup, went to celtic. cricket�*s t20 world cup was won perhaps surprisingly by australia. that is where england's test site will end their year, an ashes tour that started in the worst possible way. but 2021 was a year cricket was forced to reflect on much graver issues. the racism scandal at yorkshire has posed searching questions of cricket and everyone

within it. . questions of cricket and everyone within it. , , , ., , ., within it. there “ust seems to be an acceptance — within it. there “ust seems to be an acceptance in — within it. there just seems to be an acceptance in the _ within it. there just seems to be an acceptance in the institution, - within it. there just seems to be an acceptance in the institution, from| acceptance in the institution, from the leaders, and no one ever stamped it out. , , the leaders, and no one ever stamped itout. , the leaders, and no one ever stamped it out. , , _, ., it out. the response could now define the _ it out. the response could now define the domestic— it out. the response could now define the domestic game - it out. the response could now define the domestic game for. it out. the response could now- define the domestic game for years to come. for sporting drama, there was little to rival the rivalry in formula 1. 2021, the battle to be number one was possibly the most intense the sport has ever seen. lewis hamilton won the season opening jewel in the desert, from bahrain to the rain at mlr, it was becoming clear that max verstappen was going to push them all the way. by was going to push them all the way. by baku, things were blowing up. a tire exploding at almost 200 mph robbing verstappen of victory. silverstone was a turning point. the pair were getting too close, hamilton storming to an astonishing victory full stop angry was chaotic, hamilton coming from last to finish third. in italy, the pair needed to be separated once more. neither finished but the rivalry was boiling over. they touched again in saudi

arabia, and heading to abu dhabi, there was nothing between them, and nothing to prepare fans for what followed. hamilton seemed certain to win it, but a crash, dave berry and a safety car allowed verstappen to controversially take the race in the title. an amazing season deserved an amazing ending. this will live long in the memory. the arguments will go on perhapsjust as in the memory. the arguments will go on perhaps just as long. in the memory. the arguments will go on perhapsjust as long. few, though, could really disagree with the bbc�*s sports personality of the year. the bbc's sports personality of the year. ., ., .., the bbc's sports personality of the year._ applause year. emma raducanu. applause havinh year. emma raducanu. applause having created _ year. emma raducanu. applause having created history _ year. emma raducanu. applause having created history in - year. emma raducanu. applause having created history in 2021, - year. emma raducanu. applause having created history in 2021, it i having created history in 2021, it was perhaps in keeping with the last 12 months that emma raducanu received her award in covert isolation. this extraordinary sporting year ending rather like it began.

this is bbc news. our top stories. record numbers of cold infections are recorded in both france and the united states as the omicron variant continues to spread. borisjohnson defends the uk government's decision not to oppose further covered restrictions in england before the new year. he says 90% of those in intensive care have not had a boosterjab. one of the last pro—democracy media outlets in hong kong shuts down after the police raid. and praise and thanksgiving in soweto after the death of archbishop desmond tutu.